Reply #6: So who should we be contributing to?

[bsiebs]

I have a serious issue with this. My town wants to adopt a city in Mississippi - my problem with this is that it does not ensure aid is going to the right people - its just a feel good technique so people giving money (or unneeded clothes, canned goods, etc) can see the results directly (getting letters of thanks, etc). For gods sake, the Black Mayors (of the National Mayors Council) have come out in support of this technique (adopting cities).

Who helps the people outside these towns? Who ensures the people really in need are going to get support?

I have some links, but I am still unsure how to address this "adopt a city" thing with people, it just does not make sense to me.

These are the links to the sites that provide good information for giving:

http://www.cidi.org/

http://www.cidi.org/understanding/faq.htm

http://www.interaction.org/

http://www.interaction.org/katrina/index.html


Here is my real problem, the city my town chose to help is Pesculuga (sp), MS, it happens to be Trent Lott's home town. The democrat that selected it did not know at the time, but now he is running with it. An adoption decision is being made on Tuesday (10/5). Any suggestions?

Edit: It is not about being against helping the people in Trent Lott's home town - its that the "adopton option" is symbolic only - and so is the fact that it is Trent Lott's home town....